The evening starts with the passegiata, a traditional Italian ritual of a kind, in which smartly attired locals walk along the central avenue in order to see and be seen. Along the walk, it's recommended to visit one or two local spots to observe the elegant looks and manners.

Although popular bars and clubs are scattered all around the city, Milan's nightlife scene is concentrated in two main areas – in the west, along the streets in the neighbourhood of the Brera gallery, and, in the south, along the canal in Navigli and in Ticinese. Most pubs and bars stay open until around 1am, after which their clientele move to nightclubs (discotecas), which don't close before 4am. Remember that many clubs are closed on Mondays.

Trendy discos tend to have rather obscure door policies, meaning that they usually depend upon the whim of the bouncer. Once you’re accepted into the club, expect to pay between 11 and 16 euro admission, which typically includes the first drink. Popular spots include Magazzini Generali (Via Pietrasanta 14) situated in a former industrial warehouse, La Banque (Via Porrone 6) in an old bank building in the financial district, Alcatraz (Via Valtellina 25) known for its vintage disco parties, the ultra-posh Hollywood (Corso Como 15), and the Moroccan-themed Casablanca (Corso Como 15).

A definitely cheaper and more laid-back alternative to the expensive clubs are the so-called centri sociali. Essentially, they're squat buildings housing free or very cheap entertainment events, such as concerts and film screenings. They also often feature a bar or a vegetarian restaurant. They’re a firmly established part of the nightlife scene in Milan, to the point that some of them receive local funding. To experience this unique form of entertainment, check out the very popular Gargliano (Via Gargliano) and Leoncavallo (Via Watteau 7).